After you have logged in, select Data Sources (the first item under Data
& Services) from the navigation menu on the left (see Figure 2). This is
where you create new database connections and check the status of existing
connections. Select the down arrow with the Driver drop-down menu to view all
the different types. To add a connection to a database named Staff.mdb, type
Staff in the Data Source Name box and choose Microsoft Access from the Driver
drop-down menu. After you have entered the proper settings, click the Add
button.

Now that we have specified the DSN and the appropriate driver, we need to
tell ColdFusion where to find our database file. In the Macromedia Microsoft
Access Data Source: Staff window, enter the path information for your Staff.mdb
file or use the Browse Server button to browse to its location. The Staff.mdb
files should be located in your web server folder (see Figure 3). After you have
entered all the appropriate information, click the Submit button. Be sure to
tick the Use Default Username check box even if the database has no username
security in place.

The database file can be located anywhere in your directory structure; it
does not have to be in the web server's root folder. As a matter of fact,
it is a good idea to keep it outside of your web root folder for security
reasons.

After the database connection has been set, you should get an OK indication
in the Status column next to your new data source. You can use the Verify All
Connections button to check the status of existing connections (see Figure
4).

After the connection has been set, you can begin to use that connection in
your web pages. You should only need to go back into ColdFusion Administrator if
you change the filename or location of your database.

NOTE

If you are using a commercial service provider for your hosting, you might
have to request that they set up the data source for you. Some hosting providers
do not provide an administration interface into ColdFusion Administrator.
Normally, you would provide your hosting company with the DSN you want to use,
the name of the database file, and its location within your web site file
structure.